On July 9, 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development. This came as part of ongoing measures to address the conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria which dates back to the pre-colonial period. The announcement was made during the inauguration ceremony of the Presidential Committee on Implementing Livestock Reform which was established to improve the livestock industry and promote peace among farmers and herders. The Committee is being chaired by President Bola Tinubu and co-chaired by Attahiru Jega.
Unsurprisingly, the news sparked split opinions among stakeholders, with some questioning the initiative’s sustainability in resolving the farmer-herder crisis, while others applauded it. Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN,) while welcoming the development, promised to “reduce the farmer/ herder conflicts and its related security challenges.” On the other hand, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the Director of Publicity and Advocacy for The Northern Elder Forum called for the government to prioritize identifying grazing routes and reserves for cattle as a solution to the crisis. Daniel Okafor, the National President of the Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria, however, argued that the creation of the Ministry is not necessary, but instead, a direct dialogue between farmers and herders to discuss their issues directly would be more effective.
Remarkably, the establishment of this Ministry underscores the government’s growing recognition of non-violent methods as a possible long-longstanding strategy to end violence. However, it is important to assess the long-term viability of this initiative while considering similar previous programs. For instance, in 2019, the Rural Grazing Area Scheme (R.U.G.A.), a settlement area for herders, was implemented by former President Muhammadu Buhari to address farmer-herder clashes. This program was short-lived. R.U.G.A. was criticized and sparked controversy due to concerns by Southern leaders who perceived it as favouring herders, prompting its withdrawal. It was subsequently replaced with the Livestock Intervention Programme (L.I.P.) in 2021, which included the establishment of herder’s settlement across six states in Northern Nigeria. Nonetheless, the conflict persists.
The farmer-herder problem, prevalent in northwestern, north-central and some parts of southern Nigeria, has been attributed to several factors, including climate change (depleting land,) weak governance, and corruption, which have continuously fuelled the conflict. Although the exact casualty figure is hard to determine, data statistics by ACLED show that around 2,600 civilians were killed in 2021 during clashes between farmers and herders, a 250 percent increase compared to 2020. The rise of armed banditry in the Northwestern region is partly attributed to the unresolved farmer-herder crisis. Disgruntled herders who lost their livelihood to cattle rustling are turning to violence against communities. Cattle rustling not only impacts their means of income but also affects their culture where livestock, especially cattle ownership symbolizes authority. As a result of this loss, some herders have resorted to kidnap for ransom. In January 2024, at least 30 people were killed and over 100 were injured following a two-day violence between farmers and herders in Mangu local government area, Plateau State. In the same event, local authorities reportedly accused the military of alleged bias and called for an investigation.
This being said, the introduction of the Ministry of Livestock Development, like similar government interventions, may not resolve the conflict on its own, at least in the near term. As critics have pointed out, there is a need for proactive engagement with traditional leaders, farmers, village heads, herders, and community members to address the root cause of clashes. Civilian arbitrators and civil society organizations can also work with security personnel to de-escalate tension and resolve underlying issues.
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